In a tragic turn of events, a Florida family's search for answers regarding their nine-year-old daughter's mysterious symptoms in 2015 led to the loss of custody, accusations of Munchausen by proxy, and ultimately, the mother's suicide. The heart-wrenching story of Maya Kowalski and her family is captured in the new documentary Take Care of Maya, which will be released on Netflix on June 19th.

Maya's symptoms began with debilitating headaches, pain, and lesions, and her ability to use her legs deteriorated. Her concerned parents, Beata and Jack Kowalski, sought medical help, but a diagnosis remained elusive. A doctor suggested that anxiety may be the cause, but Maya, sitting in her wheelchair, insisted it was something else. Her mother, a trained nurse, comforted her and assured her that they would find answers.

The Kowalskis documented their journey as they fought for a diagnosis and treatment for Maya. However, their ordeal took a horrific turn when doctors accused Beata of intentionally making her daughter sick. The family's custody of Maya was taken away, and tragically, Beata took her own life. The shocking events unfolded in court during a $200 million lawsuit against the Department of Children and Families and Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, where the family sought medical care.

After months of trial proceedings, the hospital was found liable on multiple counts of abuse, including false imprisonment, battery, and intentionally inflicting emotional distress on Maya and her mother. The trial shed light on the Kowalskis' story, which is further explored in the documentary. Interviews with Maya, now a teenager, and her father and younger brother reveal the devastating impact their family's ordeal had on their lives.

Through tears and anger, the Kowalskis share their painful story in hopes of raising awareness about medical abuse allegations. Maya, now in her teens, expresses her desire for people to believe her and other families going through similar situations. The family emphasizes that they are not lying and want justice for the wrongs they endured.

Before Maya's illness, the Kowalski family was living the American dream in Florida. Beata had emigrated from Poland as a teenager and had a successful career as a nurse. Maya's symptoms led them to seek out Dr. Anthony Kirkpatrick, an expert in complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), a rare condition characterized by chronic pain. Dr. Kirkpatrick explains in the documentary that CRPS intensifies over time and causes burning sensations and extreme sensitivity to touch.

Maya's treatment included extreme measures such as a ketamine coma in Mexico, as well as low doses of ketamine prescribed by another doctor upon their return to the US. These treatments initially showed promise, and Maya's condition improved. However, her symptoms resurfaced during Hurricane Matthew, and her father rushed her to Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital.

At the hospital, Beata advocated for higher doses of ketamine to manage Maya's pain. Her demands, along with her knowledge and assertiveness, raised eyebrows and sparked concern among the medical staff. Child abuse investigator Sally Smith, from the Suncoast Center, interrogated Beata and Jack about Maya's treatment. In a heartbreaking turn of events, Maya was placed under state custody, and Beata was accused of over-medicating her daughter and fabricating her illness.

The Kowalskis hired attorney Debra Salisbury to fight for their family, but the situation continued to escalate. Dr. Kirkpatrick tried to intervene, warning that Maya's removal from her parents' custody would be catastrophic. However, his efforts were in vain, and Maya remained in the hospital as child welfare advocates insisted that she was being abused through Munchausen by proxy.

During the court proceedings, Maya wrote a letter to the judge, pleading to see her family for Christmas and expressing her worsening condition. The Kowalskis' lawyers discovered that while advocates suggested that Beata was facilitating or Maya was faking CRPS, the hospital was billing the insurance company for the treatment of the exact same disease. The hospital declined to comment on this allegation due to patient privacy laws.

The Kowalski family's story serves as a cautionary tale and sheds light on the issue of medical abuse allegations. Through their documentary and lawsuit, they hope to bring justice to their family and raise awareness for other families facing similar challenges. Maya's plea is simple but powerful: "I have CRPS. My mom was not making me sick. I just wish people would believe me.".